Ateneo rules Samsung golf

CANLUBANG , Philippines  – Ateneo rallied behind a balanced attack to capture the overall team championship and the college division plum in the ninth Samsung Interscholastic golf championships at the Canlubang north course last Thursday here.

Rocco Sumabat, Edsel Tan and Gab Atienza all scored in the 50s as Ateneo overhauled a 12-point deficit and still ended up beating high school division winner Angelicum by six in a big turnaround.

Sumabat keyed the Ateneo charge with an even-par effort worth 54 points while Tan and Atienza turned in 52 and 51, respectively, for a 157 total for the day that was 18 more than the 139 of Angelicum which was bidding to end the domination of Ateneo and La Salle in boys play.

So hot were the Blue Eagles that Ayon Sanchez’s 48 did not count as they finished with 446 while Angelicum, getting 47 from Bino dela Paz and 46 points each from Jobim Carlos and Aristeo Mata, settled for the high school crown.

More importantly, Ateneo finished ahead of rival La Salle in their college duel, 446-423, in the tourney also backed by Wow Magic Sing, Crestlink, Cranuti, ABW and Gargol. Club Car is the hole-in-one sponsor.

The La Salle Greenhills boys grade school team of AR Ramos, Justin Dy, Luigi Guerrero, Robbie Agustin and Ryan Monsalve and two St. Paul Pasig teams in girls college-high school (Maan Legaspi, Marvi Monsalve, Ann Sabater, Jonah Ilagan) and grade school (Daniela Uy, Mia Legaspi and Sofia Legaspi) cruised to easy victories.

Edsel Tan of Ateneo, Miggy Yee of La Salle and Daniella Uy of St. Paul’s Pasig also posted come-from-behind victories in the individual action where Regina de Guzman of Reedley emerged the overall champion with her 168 total built around the tournament record 61 she set in the first round.

Tan edged Joey Huerva in college play, Yee nipped Carlos in high school and Uy survived teammate Mia Legaspi in the grade school contest.